Lake Charles, LA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Lake Charles, LA: What You Need to Know

Lake Charles lies on the banks of the Calcasieu River in southwestern Louisiana, bordering Lake Charles and Prien Lake. Hence the city is called the Lake Area, but it’s also known as the Festival Capital of Louisiana.

Things to Do in Lake Charles

Sam Houston Jones State Park, the only state park in the region, offers access to the Calcasieu River for great fishing and boating. The park is a popular destination for disc golf regional tournaments. You can hike, watch birds, and observe wildlife and flora on five trails. Visit Lake Charles during one of its famous festivals – 75 are held every year. The most popular are Mardi Gras, the Cajun French Music and Food Festival, the Louisiana Pirate Festival, and the Black Heritage Festival. The Fur and Wildlife Festival includes trap-setting and oyster-shucking contests.

Job Opportunities

The petrochemical refining and gaming industries are key players in the economy of Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish. Top employers in the area include Citgo Petroleum and Conoco Philips. Outside of petrochemical companies, major employers include PPG Industries, Coushatta Casino Resort, Golden Nugget LLC (casino), L’Auberge-Lake Charles Casino Resort, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, and Calcasieu Parish School Board.

Schools and Higher Education

There’s one four-year university and two two-year colleges in Lake Charles. McNeese State University is the biggest among them, with 7,647 students. The university offers 34 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs. The campus has 79 buildings spread over 1,560 acres of land. Calcasieu Parish School District, which includes Lake Charles, serves 32,564 students. The district’s 58 public schools boast of an average math proficiency score of 67% versus the Louisiana average of 64%, and a reading proficiency score of 75% compared with the 70% statewide average.

Cost of Living

Lake Charles (population: 78,396) is neither too small nor too big, plus it’s plenty affordable. The city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 9.3%, 4.7%, and 12.1% lower than the national average. The median gross rent is $816. The Pelican State levies 2% to 6% in income tax and 4.45% to 11.45% in sales tax. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

Living in a waterfront city like Lake Charles means you’re surrounded by stunning views. Residents love the close-knit community, safe environment, and abundance of entertainment at the casino resorts. Almost half of all city residents rent. Lake Charles has good public schools, but if you prefer the suburbs, Prien and Westlake have above-average schools. Westlake’s 18-hole championship golf course is a bonus.